Networking - Sunrise to rise earlier

Scott Ellis

Early riser

Seven's morning news and entertainment program Sunrise is to make an earlier start. From Monday, February 1, it begins at 5.30am, coming into line with rival Today on Nine. With a new set from renowned American television set designer Jim Fenhagan (Good Morning America and NBC Today), Sunrise will replace Seven Early News, which will move to 5am.

Not Good news

Julianna Margulies, star of Ten's The Good Wife, has hinted the series might soon be ending. The show's creators, Robert and Michelle King, have confirmed they will leave the drama when the current season ends, then speaking at a recent awards ceremony, Margulies seemed to confirm that once they left, that was it. "I surprised Robert and Michelle tonight," Vulture website quoted her as saying. "They didn't know I was going to be here. They think I'm here for them, but I'm unemployed come April, and I think you haven't seen me in a while – at least not in person – so I thought I should show up." A spokesman from the series later said she was only joking.

Who knew

Fans of Doctor Who will have to wait until the end of the year for a return of their hero, with the BBC announcing the only new episode of the series to screen in 2016 will be the next Christmas special, in December. The announcement came with news the current showrunner, Steven Moffatt, would be leaving the iconic program, with his final 12-part series airing in 2017 and introducing a new companion for The Doctor. Moffatt will be replaced by Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall from 2018.

Snow wonder

The recent American blizzards halted production of several series, caused broadcast blackouts for viewers, but left one group of TV fans delighted, when Arrow (and former Torchwood/Doctor Who) star John Barrowman found himself stranded on his way to a New Jersey science fiction convention and promptly started live-tweeting the incident. For most of last Sunday, the actor posted photographs, video and anecdotes of being stuck in the convention, with fans retweeting wildly.

Julianna Margulies' days as Alicia Florrick may be coming to an end. Photo: Supplied

Sleep overs

Girls executive producer Judd Apatow has confirmed he is to launch Crashing, a half-hour comedy starring comedian Pete Holmes on HBO. The series, which will have both Apatow and Holmes as executive producers, will follow "a sweet, wholesome comedian" who has nowhere to stay after his wife leaves him, and winds up staying on the couches of New York's finest comics. The series is loosely based on some of Holmes' experiences. Apatow will direct the series pilot.